An illustrated guide to over 650 amphibians, reptiles and mammals of the United States, Canada, Central and South America, detailing distribution, habitat, food, size, life span and conservation status. A natural history section explains how these animals are adapted to their habitat and food sources, with information about anatomy, reproduction, ecology, migration, hibernation, biomes, endangered species and wildlife conservation. Over 900 color photographs and specially commissioned illustrations and maps for each of the species featured--Cover.

Beginning with a biological and evolutionary overview of the animal kingdom, this text examines a range of animal characteristics, including anatomy, survival instinct and reproduction.

This lavishly illustrated trade reference to mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and invertebrates features hundreds of glorious photos, masterful illustrations, and informative maps.

Plunge into the diversity of the animal kingdom in this Encyclopaedia of Animals. Packed with over 500 creatures, every one is looked at in detail by a natural history expert. From the tiniest sponge to the largest elephant, all entries are gloriously illustrated in this spectacular celebration of life on Earth.

On every continent and in every nation, animals unrecognized by modern science are reported on a daily basis. People passionately pursue these creatures--the name given to their field of study is cryptozoology. Coined in the 1950s, the term literally means the science of hidden animals. When the International Society of Cryptozoology (ISC) was formed in 1982, the founders declared that the branch of science is also concerned with "the possible existence of known animals in areas where they are not supposed to occur (either now or in the past) as well as the unknown persistence of presumed extinct animals to the present time or to the recent past...what makes an animal of interest to cryptology is that it is unexpected." This reference work presents a "flesh and blood" view of cryptozoology. Here, 2,744 entries are listed, the majority of which each describe one specific creature or type of creature. Other entries cover 742 places where unnamed cryptids are said to appear; profiles of 77 groups and 112 individuals who have contributed to the field; descriptions of objects and events important to the subject; and essays on cryptotourism and hoaxes, for example. Appendices offer a timeline of zoological discoveries, annotated lists of movies and television series with cryptozoological themes, a list of crypto-fiction titles and a list of Internet websites devoted to cryptozoology.

Seventy-nine of the most common and familiar mammals are identified and described in this beautiful encyclopedia that features more than 200 color photographs and illustrations, an extensive glossary, species tables, data panels, and distribution maps throughout.

This lavishly illustrated visual reference book is an authoritative survey of the intriguing world of animals. The first section is an overview of animal evolution, classification, biology, behaviour, habitats and adaptations. Special attention is paid to current conservation issues. At the core of the book is an encyclopedic survey of all the animal groups - mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and invertebrates ...